The
CSD-9 Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and
Atmosphere met in morning to discuss the first draft of the Co-Chairs'
Summary of the Discussion on Atmosphere. The Group then discussed
the revised draft of the CO-Chairs document containing possible
elements for a Draft Decision on Transport. In the evening, delegates
discussed the revised draft of the CO-Chairs document on possible
elements for a Draft Decision on Atmosphere. The Group then
adopted the report of the meeting as contained in E/CN.17/ISWG.I/2001/L.1,
and adjourned at 7:15 pm.

Above
photo: CO-Chairs David Stuart (Australia) and Daudi Taliwaku
(Uganda) in the morning

These
photos are copyrighted by the International Institute for Sustainable
Development (IISD). For permission to use any of the photos on this
site, please contact Kimo Goree at kimo@iisd.org.
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The
Intersessional Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) preparing for the ninth
session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD-9) on
Transport and Atmosphere met in New York from 6-9 March 2001. The
session was held in accordance with resolution 1997/63 of the Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC) establishing ad hoc working groups to
assist the Commission with preparations for CSD sessions, and decision
8/8 of the Commission at its eighth meeting and a subsequent Bureau
recommendation to hold an intersessional meeting on transport and
atmosphere. Over 120 delegates, including member states, intergovernmental
organizations and UN bodies and specialized agencies, and NGO representatives
attended the session. Delegates considered the Secretary-General's
reports on transport and on the protection of the atmosphere, and
prepared two documents on elements for the draft decisions on these
themes. These will provide the basis for negotiations at CSD-9,
which is scheduled to take place in New York from 16-27 April 2001.
The Co-Chairs' also prepared two documents containing summaries
of the discussions held on each issue. At the end of the four-day
session, delegates expressed contentment with the outputs of the
session and conduct of business, noting that the congenial environment,
the willingness to listen to each other, as well as the Co-Chairs'
competence, made for efficient and constructive progress. Photo:
Iran and Co-Chair Stuart

On
the first draft of the Co-Chairs summary on atmosphere, Saudi
Arabia said issues raised in the discussions, such as the
need for developed countries to restructure taxes to reflect carbon
content and elimination of subsidies, were not reflected. He opposed
including reference to climate change issues and said that the
references to IPCC findings should be balanced or deleted.

Photo: the US (left) with Saudi Arabia (right)

China
and Brazil (left) and Iran, speaking for the G-77/China (right)

The G-77/China
proposes it changes to the section on general consideration of
the elements for a Draft Decision on Transport, as well as a paragraph
on poverty eradication. On general considerations, the G-77/China
suggested: adding two subparagraphs on financing and technology
transfer taken from Rio+5; replacing reference to transport systems
contributing to "economic and social development as efficient
and environmentally sound activities" with "sustainable development";
and deleting reference to the three pillars of sustainable development
in a reference to the need for adequate and efficient transport
systems. He also emphasized including language on poverty eradication.

The Japanese
delegation reviews the revised CO-Chairs document on possible
elements for a Draft Decision on Transport, and opposed
discussing transboundary movement of nuclear waste at the CSD.

The
Russian Federation called for reference to countries with
economies in transition where there is mention developing countries.

Nigeria
proposed a working group to elaborate upon the proposed integrated
global observation system and to determine the financial and technical
implications of such a system.

Sweden,
for the EU, making general comments on the revised draft
of possible elements for a draft decision on atmosphere. He
said, inter alia, the CSD should take a strong stand and
urge ratification of the Montreal Protocol.

Sweden (left)
and South Africa

JoAnne
DiSano, Director, Division for Sustainable Development with CO-Chair
Stuart

Co-Chair
Stuartproposed revised text under general considerations
of the document on elements for a draft decision on transport, which,
inter alia, states that the Commission could reiterate the
continuing relevance and importance of all the principles agreed
in the Rio Declaration, including in particular the Principle that,
in view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation,
States have common but differentiated responsibilities.

The Bulgarian
delegate buries himself in the New York Times during a break

The
US, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia

Germany
and France

The
Czech Republic (left)

The US
and Japan

The
EU in a huddle outside the ECOSOC chamber before the final
meeting of the Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere